Switching from International to Thai school - Bangkok?

[MJKT2014]

Currently we are finding the cost of international schooling prohibitive for our two dual Thai/UK children. Is the switch to a decent English program Thai schools an easy alternative, besides the school years seemingly being staged at different times? Both kids young 2.5 and 4.5 yo and fluent in both Thai and English for their ages.

[A Lurker]

At that age it shouldn't be a problem at all, especially as they seem quite bright already.

[Krataiboy]

School at two and a half? Seems awful young to start the brainwashing.

[Covertjay]

70 to 150k p.a. ACP's EP, BCC's EIP or a SARASAS EP for kindergarten age kids. Starting at 2 1/2 is more about social and emotional development, getting used to a few routines as well as giving mum a break.

[Covertjay]

For the younger kid no documents to switch but older child will need to bring the government cumulative record booklet that covers prathom or year 1 to 3. It's light green.

[saakura]

For the younger kid no documents to switch but older child will need to bring the government cumulative record booklet that covers prathom or year 1 to 3. It's light green.

If he is coming from an IB or ICGSE curriculum international school, they will have none of the above.

[mike324]

with kids that young, it should be pretty straight forward enrollment...kids should adjust easily being that young, try to enroll in a school with as many native English speaking kids will help with their development as well

[DrTuner]

School at two and a half? Seems awful young to start the brainwashing.

That's what I would be worried about changing from international curriculum to Thai one. The amount of conditioning is going to multiply and undoing it is hard work.

[AgMech Cowboy]

I feel your pocket pain. My wife was adamant that our son should not attend a Thai school, explaining to me that the offspring of a Farang will be severely harassed by their school mates. They will belittle your children mocking them about their cheap farang parent (or your spouse and her/his choice of mate) and there will be insults about your wife's background, which is not truthful or fair. Apparently it is a cruel world out there (but we already knew that).

My wife's minimum was to send him to a bilingual school, which is where he started. Eventually at age 5 we put him in an affordable International school, Keerapat International School. Since that time we have knowledge of equivalent bilingual schools, but sadly, once you go International, it's very tough to put them back in the bilingual education group.

Good luck.

[MJKT2014]

Great replies guys, very helpful. Its encouraging to know with the kids young ages we still have some choices.

The bilingual schools (EP) are mostly full of Thais so can expect the same racial prejudices from other kids as Thai schools for luk kreungs? We are based in Bangkok. Or will the EP schools be a good cheaper option than international?

[Jonathon]

Switched my daughter and 2 Thai stepdaughters when Brown destroyed the pound. They would have been between 6 and 10 at the time.

They moved to Sarasat Ektra in Sathu Pradit. Only issue was for the eldest (Thai) to spend a year catching up in the associated Thai school as she had previously been in a temple school.

All went on to continue their education in the UK. I can't recall any issues with paperwork but maybe things have changed,

[kingstonkid]

My only advise is be careful where you are switching them. Ask to see the classes, talk to the teachers,

Do not go by the paperwork they give you they all BS that. it is made to make the school look good not necessarily for the child to learn.

remember schools do not have to worry about your child knowing or learning anything they automatically pass.

[Covertjay]

Great replies guys, very helpful. Its encouraging to know with the kids young ages we still have some choices.

The bilingual schools (EP) are mostly full of Thais so can expect the same racial prejudices from other kids as Thai schools for luk kreungs? We are based in Bangkok. Or will the EP schools be a good cheaper option than international?

I've worked in three of Bangkok's leading EP schools over the last 16 years and have never seen or heard any prejudice towards luk krung kids in Thai or English. I must have done playground duty a thousand times and zilch.

Typically you have two or three foreign or luk krung kids per class so they won't be completely alone.

Truthfully I would not be concerned about this in the slightest for my own luk krung son. Thai kids by and large are compassionate and actually admire luk krung kids as evidenced by the popularity of luk krung tv stars.

Best of luck with it all mate.

[Bredbury Blue]

"School at two and a half? Seems awful young to start the brainwashing."

If the OP kids are anything like mine, our youngest demanded to go to school at 2.5 years. My kids are 2 yrs apart, youngest had to go to school every day with the wife to take and collect older brother, and obviously fancied a bit of school.

"The bilingual schools (EP) are mostly full of Thais so can expect the same racial prejudices from other kids as Thai schools for luk kreungs?"

Asked my kids do they feel they feel they're treated any differently by teachers and the other kids because they're luuk krung. No they reckon. Asked the wife, she reckons our kids are treated the same as the thai kids.

Sarasat schools are decent. Not too expensive. Rubbish at sport education. Specialise in giving kids a start in music (mine learn guitar, piano and especially drums). Most of their thai buddies couldn't speak English at 5yrs old and I've enjoyed watching them grow and become english speakers (one 13yr friend has been taking her mum to visit auntie in England for several years and having to take care of all the English skills on their travels for her non English speaking parent, which I think is impressive).

Edited June 4, 2016 by Bredbury Blue

[kwonitoy]

Great replies guys, very helpful. Its encouraging to know with the kids young ages we still have some choices.

The bilingual schools (EP) are mostly full of Thais so can expect the same racial prejudices from other kids as Thai schools for luk kreungs? We are based in Bangkok. Or will the EP schools be a good cheaper option than international?

I've worked in three of Bangkok's leading EP schools over the last 16 years and have never seen or heard any prejudice towards luk krung kids in Thai or English. I must have done playground duty a thousand times and zilch.

Typically you have two or three foreign or luk krung kids per class so they won't be completely alone.

Truthfully I would not be concerned about this in the slightest for my own luk krung son. Thai kids by and large are compassionate and actually admire luk krung kids as evidenced by the popularity of luk krung tv stars.

Best of luck with it all mate.

Good to hear from someone who is at the school full time.

I pick my 5 year old up from school, he's luk krung, favoring me, his two best mates are thai, and to each other they are just friends. Thay talk to each other in Thai or English without any real consideration. When I went over to see them watching the fish in a pond they spoke english, when one of thai boys mother came over, they switched to thai. I really don't think at that age they see colour, there're just running around playing and being kids

[Bredbury Blue]

^My observation of my 2 luuk krung is exactly as yours. I'm sure my two kids friends ONLY see them as luuk krung on the times when they see me picking them up at school. My thai grandson is 3 yrs old, he hasn't yet worked out I'm any different than all his thai family members, be interesting to see when he discovers im not thai and don't speak great thai. Kids are just kids until adults change their perception.

[Deserted]

you just need to be careful to choose the right school, some private Thai schools aren't so bad. Considering the age of your children it shouldn't be a problem.

[FritsSikkink]

you just need to be careful to choose the right school, some private Thai schools aren't so bad. Considering the age of your children it shouldn't be a problem.

Could you name a couple, am interested

[Deserted]

Which part of the city are you in?

[AgMech Cowboy]

I am happy to read the replies contradicting what my wife told me about the treatment of luuk krung children. His school costs are less then what I would have paid in USA taxes had I lived in the states and not have the international exclusion. Unfortunately it's too late now to change. I've just got to figure out where the money will come from for the last 4 years. There are just no jobs in my field international or state side.

Good luck with you finding a good school for the children.

[DrTuner]

I wouldn't be worried about the luek krung thing either. There seems to be no difference as long as the kids have a language they share.

[FritsSikkink]

Which part of the city are you in?

rachada

[Deserted]

Which part of the city are you in?

rachada

I don't know that area of the city, best to speak to locals rather than westerners about that, someone will know what the better private schools in your area would be.